After a nearly two-day manhunt, authorities were able to apprehend the suspect who was deemed “armed and dangerous” and accused of four murders – three in Oklahoma and one in Alabama – along with several other criminal charges. The suspect was caught on Thursday morning.
According to the Arkansas State Police, Stacy Lee Drake, a 50-year-old individual, was arrested on Thursday at approximately 10 a.m.
Investigators have reported that he was discovered in a wooded area in Morrilton, Arkansas and was apprehended without any issues.
According to the Arkansas State Police, Drake was sought after in connection with two different carjackings that led to three homicides in Oklahoma. After being apprehended, it came to light that Drake was also a suspect in the killing of an Alcoholics Anonymous volunteer in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which took place the previous month.
According to a statement from investigators, Drake is currently the subject of multiple felony warrants from various jurisdictions. These charges include murder, aggravated robbery, and carjacking.
Assistance in the search was provided by a group of law enforcement agencies, including the Morrilton Police Department, Arkansas State Police, Conway County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas National Guard, and Arkansas Division of Community Correction.
On Wednesday, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation released additional information about the recent homicides in Sequoyah County. According to reports, a man and woman were found deceased inside a local business on Tuesday.
At present, the authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the victims.
The medical examiner is yet to determine the cause of death of the victims. However, the investigators in Oklahoma have stated that the injuries sustained by both individuals are indicative of homicide.
Authorities state that Drake has been involved in a crime spree since May.
During a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Capt. Jack Kennedy from the Tuscaloosa, Alabama Sheriff’s Office announced that Drake was being sought in connection with the death of Russell Andrews. Andrews’ body was discovered in an Alcoholics Anonymous building on May 14, where he had served as a volunteer for many years, earning the respect and admiration of its members, as relayed by Kennedy.
According to Kennedy, Drake was a transient who had been in Tuscaloosa for at least a week before Andrews’ body was found. Kennedy further claimed that Drake had used AA’s services to get food, and had given a fake name to the organization. In addition, Kennedy alleged that Drake had stolen Andrews’ car.
According to Kennedy, Drake holds a lengthy criminal record and was previously incarcerated in a federal prison. His rap sheet includes multiple arrests for violent offenses in Alabama, Arizona, and Oklahoma.
Kennedy stated that they are currently investigating if he is responsible for any other homicides. It is still unclear at this time.
Police have reported that Drake was last spotted on foot outside a motel in Morrilton, Arkansas before his arrest. Morrilton is located approximately 130 miles east of where the bodies were discovered in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma on Tuesday night. Authorities in Oklahoma had discovered a car that Drake had reportedly stolen in Morrilton.
